"How many more years do we need to go undefeated," Bleymaier told a congressional committee, "before we get a chance?"

Good point.

Boise has finished the regular season undefeated three times since 2004. This season could be No. 4. if the Broncos can get past a tough season opener against Oregon. (It didn't bother them last year when the Broncos won 37-32 at Oregon).

Boise should roll to another WAC title but how high can it get in the BCS standings? While the Mountain West has its gripes, the WAC has had teams in back-to-back BCS bowls in 2006-07.

The problem, if you can call it that, is that Oregon will likely be the only ranked team that Boise State faces this season. A similar predicament didn't bother the Broncos against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl so what are we supposed to conclude?

Bleymaier is right. The Broncos belong not only in a BCS bowl but deserve a chance at the national championship.

If it wins all its games.

Picking the WAC ...

1. Boise State -- Start with accurate lefthander Kellen Moore at quarterback. Throw in starting experience at every position. Add a rising superstar coach who has two undefeated years in his first three seasons. Watch for Chris Petersen and the Broncos to make another top 10 run. They are quick and athletic. Think a mountain version of Miami in the 1980s. Watch Titus Young who might be the league's fastest receiver.

2. Nevada -- Colin Kaepernick is the WAC's best quarterback. The Pistol offense is quirky and might be the WAC's best unit. It was held under 31 only twice, none came after September. In his third go-round with the Pack, Chris Ault is one of the more underrated coaches in the country. Ault needs just a hint of defense to milk the season down to late November when his team visits Boise State with the conference title possibly on the line.

3. Louisiana Tech -- If it wasn't for Boise State, Louisiana Tech would be the WAC's Next Big Thing. The Bulldogs went 6-2 down the stretch appearing in only the program's third bowl in 20 years. Coach Derek Dooley has a returning quarterback (Ross Jenkins) as well as 16 other starters. Just think what a healthy receiver/returner Phillip Livas can do this season. Playing with a torn meniscus, the 5-foot-8 Livas piled up more than 2,000 all-purpose yards.

4. Fresno State -- The baseball team shamed the football team last year going from Bulldogs to Underdogs to Wonderdogs in winning the school's first national championship in a men's sport. Fresno would settle for a conference title from football. Coach Pat Hill has no WAC titles this decade and no outright titles ever (1998 and 1999 were ties). Fresno State's version of American Chopper's Paul Teutul might have lost something off his fastball but the Bulldogs are still going to be a factor. Something will have to change, though, even with 15 returning starters. The Dogs were minus-11 in turnovers last season and have been outgained in the last three seasons.

5. San Jose State -- Coach Dick Tomey has done wonders in his retirement job, milking 23 victories out of this program in his four seasons. The Spartans faltered down the stretch last season losing their final three and missing out on a bowl. Tomey's team will contend for the WAC this season if Cal transfer quarterback Kyle Reed can improve, 6-4 receiver Marquis Avery can take pressure off of teammate Kevin Jurovich and the front seven on defense can dominate.

6. Hawaii -- June Jones knew what he was doing by getting out while the getting was good. While replacement Greg McMackin went 7-7 and got the Warriors to a bowl in his first season, the program will continue to slide. Hawaii will entertain offensively, it always does. But only two starters return on defense where 11 of the top 13 tacklers have departed.

7. Utah State -- New coach Gary Andersen (Utah's former defensive coordinator) has a monumental task ahead. As the No. 3 program in a sparsely populated state Utah State is constantly reminded how it can't get it done. It has been 12 seasons since the Aggies had a winning season. Former coach Brent Guy won nine games in four seasons.

8. Idaho -- Robb Akey is 3-21 in his two seasons but there are signs of hope considering the Vandals haven't had a winning season this decade. The top three rushers return not including Washington State transfer (nine miles away) DeMaundray Wooldridge. Quarterback Nathan Enderle somehow threw more touchdowns (20) than interceptions (17) during a 2-10 season.

9. New Mexico State --The Aggies went from wild-eyed offensive philosophy (Hal Mumme) to one of the best defensive coaches in the game (UCLA d-coordinator DeWayne Walker). Unfortunately the new coach picked one of the worst programs in I-A to launch his full-time head-coaching career. The defense will play hard and get better. The offense lost the leader of the nation's No. 10 pass offense (quarterback Chase Holbrook). Too bad new o-coordinator Timm Rosenbach doesn't have any eligibility left. The former Washington State quarterback was the Cougars' quarterback coach from 2003-07.

Picking the WAC

It all doesn't matter. The season will play out the way its going to. And it won't be according to pre-season polls or how anyone feels.

Since: Oct 2, 2008

Posted on: June 2, 2009 10:18 am

Picking the WAC

G_B_T....... Of course we probably wouldn't go undefeated in the PAC-10. But being in the PAC-10 with 1 or 2 losses even, could land you in an NC game. All of us realize that. That's nothing new to Bronco fans. Where some of these guys get that we're crushed because we didn't get in is beyond me. What we would like to see is the opportunity. Such as a playoff system.

By the way, we have never lost to Utah and are 12-1 against the MWC.

Since: Mar 12, 2009

Posted on: June 2, 2009 10:08 am

Dodd is right...on one thing.

How many times do we have to go through this? Exactly, Boise beating 1 ranked team per year on its way to an undefeated season playing in the WAC does not mean it should have a chance to play in for the BCS championship. It's not Boise's fault they play in the WAC, but that doesn't mean they should get a "pass" with regard to a cupcake schedule. The voters and computers don't think that highly of an undefeated WAC season either. Talk about "not fair", it wouldn't be fair to let an undefeated team from the WAC play in the BCS championship, unless its non-conference schedule included 4 top notch games vs. BCS conference teams. The BCS system usually gets it right and I don't see it happening unless a playoff system was in place and in that case, they would prove their worthiness on the field.

Since: Apr 12, 2009

Posted on: June 2, 2009 10:00 am

Picking the WAC

Boise st has an impressive record, but how would they do in say the Pac-10? If you throw Utah and TCU in there too, the Utes will prevail.

Since: Oct 2, 2008

Posted on: June 2, 2009 8:32 am

Picking the WAC

Hey, Percy.... thanks for coming over and ripping Boise State again. There are plenty of other threads to do that on, which you seem to find on a regular basis anyway. I think Lane Kiffin said it best about Urban Meyer, what did he say again? We all know what Florida has done, we all know Florida went 11-1 against BCS teams. Yeah! You guys did good. Being how the majority of games we play are conference games we can't do that. You 1-upped us again. Congrats!

Boise State's chances of going undefeated again in the WAC should be pretty good, but Wolfey, I think that Wolfpack game is going to be the one we have to prepare for the most. It's the one that I have circled on the schedule. La. Tech should improve also this year. I think the top 4 teams in the WAC should all be much stronger than last year. As a whole, the league was pretty young last year. Better things to come in the WAC, me thinks.

Since: Jan 12, 2007

Posted on: June 2, 2009 3:19 am

Picking the WAC

Another example of how easy Boise's schedule is.......................

Florida faced 12 BCS teams in 2008 alone going 11-1.

Boise State has faced 16 BCS teams THIS ENTIRE DECADE GOING 5-11 AND 1-4 IN THEIR LAST 5 BOWL GAMES.

Urban Meyer while the Head Coach @ Bowling Gren and UTAH against BCS opponents? 11-1.

Since: Jan 12, 2007

Posted on: June 2, 2009 3:16 am

IF Boise goes undefeated.............

They don't deserve a shot at a National Title. Who do they play besides Oregon? They face 1 BCS opponent the entire season. UTAH had their legit gripe last year and made great strides for all mid-majors landing 16 1st place votes in the final AP poll. They also finished #2 which is a step in the right direction for mid-majors that actually go out and schedule someone.

Boise State complains "noone wants to play us". The difference is that alot of programs have already priven themselves over the course of their existance and went and played anybody anywhere........even if it wasn't a home and home series. The Boise contradicts itself by not returning home games against D1AA opponents. MR. KETTLE......MEET MR. POT.

Why does Boise play one of the softest schedules in the country? Even amongst mid-majors? They want to take the east road, rack up as many wins as possible and then brag about their winning % this decade as one of the Nations best.

Boise since "their remarkable run" this decade is 5-11 vs BCS teams and that includes beating Oklahoma and Oregon the last 3 years.

Boise State is also 1-4 in their last 4 bowl games. No wonder we keep hearing about the victory over Oklahoma in 2006. ITS THEIR ONLY BOWL WIN IN ALMOST A DECADE.

Thats not a sign that Boise belongs to even be mentioned amongst the best in the country.

Since: Sep 8, 2006

Posted on: June 2, 2009 2:00 am

Picking the WAC

Totally agree. It is rare for a mainstream media outlet to ever give UH credit for anything. Should be a fun year this year and I expect UH to make a bowl again.

Since: Aug 8, 2007

Posted on: June 2, 2009 1:46 am

Picking the WAC

I like the article as I only see one thing that might need to be changed! I think this is the year that Ault and company finally get it done! It all starts Saturday, Sept 6th at 12:30 Pacific standard time at fabled Notre Dame stadium and will conclude the same way with a resounding and awe inspiring "wood shed" beat down up in the treasure valley! Nevada is going to avenge eight years of frustration in the final regular season game for both schools, and dance on the Blue Turf once and for all! There is only one way to go for the nations worst secondary and taht might be the difference maker this! As the Pistol will be firing on all plugs from the word go, with CK and a solid one two punch in Taua and Luke both returning to a loaded backfield! Louisiana Tech was the pick to click last year and did not disappoint any of folks who completely expected them to win at least eight games and get back to a bowl game! Fresno has the usual murderers row right out of the gate, so they will take themselves out of the hunt early and often! Hey, good luck to everyone this year in the Mighty Wac Attack, and thanks for the props with the article Mr.Dodd!

Go Pack

Woofy1

Reno Nevada!

Since: Jan 6, 2007

Posted on: June 1, 2009 11:50 pm

Picking the WAC

Don't be surprised to see Hawaii contend for the WAC title this year with their veteran QB back. Last year Hawaii had one of the toughest schedules in the nation yet made a bowl with a rookie QB, so expect a lot more from them this season.Toughest schedules???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA

HA!!!!! I have heard of being a fan, but lets not get delusional. Getting demolished at Florida does not INCREASE your SOS.

Now as far as the QB, one year doen't turn a guy from a...rookie QBinto a veteran QB